Doubting Thomas -B. Strozzi c.1620 (art.com)I’ve always heard about the Apostle Thomas in a negative way. His reputation of negativity is well known in the bible. In John 20:19-31 we hear of the familiar story of the disciple who had to place his hands into the side of Christ to feel the wound before he would believe that it was indeed Christ and that He had risen. The other apostles had seen him the week before, but Thomas wouldn’t just take their word for it; he had to see Him with his own eyes and touch him to know that He was real.
We should ask ourselves if we had been there in those early days in Jerusalem, would we have believed a nearly impossible story that someone who died had risen and was alive three days later? It seems a bit far-fetched when you think about it.
Perhaps though instead of the doubting one, Thomas was the believing apostle. He believed and loved Jesus so deeply that he was guarding his heart so that he wouldn’t be hurt again. He loved Jesus and wanted to see Him, but what if the stories weren’t true?
Jesus responded with compassion, not rebuking Thomas’ desire for proof, but instead understanding his desire to love again, to reach out and touch the object of his affection once more.
Maybe instead of showing our cynicism as humans, we are reminded of this story to show that even Thomas who had traveled the dusty roads with Jesus had doubts. Here Jesus shows us that the doubts of a Christian are okay, even valuable in deepening our faith.
The last line strikes me when Jesus would honor us today, by addressing us directly: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
With these words Jesus has affirmed us, believing in Him even when we cannot see.
Thank you, Believing Thomas.
I pray that you, too, will believe in the risen Christ, Lord Jesus.
Blessings, my friend,
Agatha
(excerpts from a sermon by Rev. Sarah Kerr, May 1, 2011)